Drug dealers on the square

[mtn2ocean]

Am I the only one who has noticed the teenagers in the square of Sebastopol dealing drugs on a daily basis?

They are getting bolder by the day and I'm so angry that nothing is being done. I'm a business owner nearby who has watched the daily deals out in broad daylight with little kids and parents playing nearby, everyone seemingly oblivious to the fact that these people are handing out drugs, people! I've called the police 3 times and they take their time getting over to the square, even though their 1 minute away. I've stared down the kids as their handing out the pills in a huddle but it dosen't seem to make a dent in their thick skulls. I want to start yelling.........Hey, drugs are being handed out here! as there doing it but I'm nervous about vandalism to my business. They know who I am already.

So what do you say Sebastopol? Are we going to let these brats take the square away from us? It dosen't feel safe and I know you know what I'm talking about if you have spent any time there as of late.

Let's take back the square, in a peaceful way. It's always been so sweet and I hate to see it go to pot......no pun intended..........

[2Bwacco]

Someone should walk their drug-sniffing extra large dog on by -- or I'll lend you my 90 lb. golden/lab mix for training. She's especially fond of sniffing crotches.

[jestermakemelaf]

your outlook is so one-sided.... All of these kids are YOUR hope for the future. Educate yourself on empowering these people instead of brushing them aside....You helped create the world we all face....

[Phred]

Am I the only one who has noticed the teenagers in the square of Sebastopol dealing drugs on a daily basis?

They are getting bolder by the day and I'm so angry that nothing is being done. I'm a business owner nearby who has watched the daily deals out in broad daylight with little kids and parents playing nearby, everyone seemingly oblivious to the fact that these people are handing out drugs, people! I've called the police 3 times and they take their time getting over to the square, even though their 1 minute away. I've stared down the kids as their handing out the pills in a huddle but it dosen't seem to make a dent in their thick skulls. I want to start yelling.........Hey, drugs are being handed out here! as there doing it but I'm nervous about vandalism to my business. They know who I am already.

So what do you say Sebastopol? Are we going to let these brats take the square away from us? It dosen't feel safe and I know you know what I'm talking about if you have spent any time there as of late.

Let's take back the square, in a peaceful way. It's always been so sweet and I hate to see it go to pot......no pun intended..........
Getting old comes with the same things our parents dealt with when we were young...the old farts and cops are always on our backs....leave us younguns alone old people, we can take care of ourselves....ring a bell people???? We were those same kids not too long ago bitching about "the man" screwing with us....pills? What about the 4way windowpane acid that was freely doled out? The irony here is that we have become our parents and a bunch of old "fuddy duddies" get over it and let these kids grow up like we did...

[LenInSebastopol]

YEAH, who are we to want our children, our future, our hope, to not make mistakes that are so costly that lives could be ruined? HUH? Who are we to want the best for our progeny and have worked hard to give it to them? RIGHT ON! Who are we that have seen the error of our ways and do not want it visited on the people that will succeed us? Or want a better world than what we came into and wish to save the pain, anguish, anger, and all those other negative vibes to be passed onto ANYONE let alone young people.
RIGHT ON. GO OUT YOUNG PEOPLE AND DO YOUR THING, even if it is illegal. Don't listen to older folks who've truly have been there and done that. You invented the sun, moon, stars, sex, religion, relationships, and modes of living and all those preceding you know nothing of value, while you are entitled to anything you wish, if you wish real hard. Don't work, lay about in the sun and imbibe. You are part of a new world order.



Getting old comes with the same things our parents dealt with when we were young...the old farts and cops are always on our backs....leave us younguns alone old people, we can take care of ourselves....ring a bell people???? We were those same kids not too long ago bitching about "the man" screwing with us....pills? What about the 4way windowpane acid that was freely doled out? The irony here is that we have become our parents and a bunch of old "fuddy duddies" get over it and let these kids grow up like we did...

[theindependenteye]

>>>your outlook is so one-sided.... All of these kids are YOUR hope for the future. Educate yourself on empowering these people instead of brushing them aside....You helped create the world we all face...

Wait. Is the issue whether there are teenagers on the square or whether there's drug-dealing on the square? I think we should keep these two issues separate.

I'm on the square frequently, and I have no problem with teenagers hanging out there -- it's a good place to hang out, that's why *I'm* there. But despite being strongly against current drug laws, I'm also against drug-dealing in public. As long as there's major money to be made, there's likely to be gang involvement at some point, and that means violence. If it's seen, it should be reported. If it's reported and not responded to, then try videotape.

-Conrad

[mtn2ocn]

This is how I see the issue: Yes, most of us used to partake in some sort of illegal activity when we were young. Some learned from our mistakes, some not. But the difference that I see between then and now is that I didn't have a bunch of old guys from the shelter on Main St. coming into my little party and being a part of my scene. I see those guys on a daily basis in the huddle with the kids, all hands out for whatever their passing around.
I love the local teenagers that come and meet at the square. I truly do. They are so open and alive. Its for all of us. But the kids I was speaking of, most have backpacks with sleeping bags and they all look miserable. I don't think I've seem one of them in that group ever smile or look happy. Yesterday, their were little kids playing around them and as they were smoking and saying F--- you loudly, a Mom said watch your mouth and they said, I can't believe she f------ said that to us.
And yes, I have a personal reason to be involved. I know the pain that a teen goes through because of a full blown addiction. My son has been in rehab twice, jail 3 times, lived on the streets, been down so low and hard, I never thought he'd rise again. But he did. And the only way it could have happened was when he got busted and the courts sent him away and then to rehab.
So don't judge too harshly when it comes to this issue. Open your eyes and really look the next time your there. You'll see what I'm talking about.

[mariberti]

I'm a parent of a 14 year old girl and am very concerned and very surprised to hear about this. I don't spend much time in the square but am aware of groups of kids always congregated around. I would like to help rid the square of the dealing...what can we do and how can I help?



Am I the only one who has noticed the teenagers in the square of Sebastopol dealing drugs on a daily basis?

They are getting bolder by the day and I'm so angry that nothing is being done. I'm a business owner nearby who has watched the daily deals out in broad daylight with little kids and parents playing nearby, everyone seemingly oblivious to the fact that these people are handing out drugs, people! I've called the police 3 times and they take their time getting over to the square, even though their 1 minute away. I've stared down the kids as their handing out the pills in a huddle but it dosen't seem to make a dent in their thick skulls. I want to start yelling.........Hey, drugs are being handed out here! as there doing it but I'm nervous about vandalism to my business. They know who I am already.

So what do you say Sebastopol? Are we going to let these brats take the square away from us? It dosen't feel safe and I know you know what I'm talking about if you have spent any time there as of late.

Let's take back the square, in a peaceful way. It's always been so sweet and I hate to see it go to pot......no pun intended..........

[Nomad]

I have never noticed and if you do you must have a very slow business to be so nosy as to tell what those kids are doing or care. You said yourself no one else walking by seems to so why you? Have they been scaring your customers away? You did not mention that.

First you said pills but made a pot reference. Meth, Crack, I'd be more worried, but if the cops don't think it is a big deal, I think I'll let them do their job.

Unless they are loitering in front of your business, I suggest you do your own job. That is why they are police officers and you own a business. Would you let one of them run your business? No, most likely, because they havn't the proper training. Same applies to you.

Which one may I ask so that I never unknowingly spend my hard earned money there?

[theindependenteye]

>>>Unless they are loitering in front of your business, I suggest you do your own job. That is why they are police officers and you own a business. Would you let one of them run your business? No, most likely, because they havn't the proper training. Same applies to you.
Which one may I ask so that I never unknowingly spend my hard earned money there?

Ah, relax already. If you disagree with the man, ok. But why get nasty about it? I'm in total agreement that if kids are there and are just hanging out, there's no reason they should be bothered; and I feel that about homeless people as well. But if there's drug dealing on your front step, at what point is it kosher for you to object? When we add streetwalkers or guys pissing in the flowerbeds?

[Nomad]

>>>Unless they are loitering in front of your business, I suggest you do your own job. That is why they are police officers and you own a business. Would you let one of them run your business? No, most likely, because they havn't the proper training. Same applies to you.
Which one may I ask so that I never unknowingly spend my hard earned money there?

Ah, relax already. If you disagree with the man, ok. But why get nasty about it? I'm in total agreement that if kids are there and are just hanging out, there's no reason they should be bothered; and I feel that about homeless people as well. But if there's drug dealing on your front step, at what point is it kosher for you to object? When we add streetwalkers or guys pissing in the flowerbeds?

I'm sorry, I was stating my honest opinion and feelings. He called them "brats" and the entire post reeked of ignorance and hate.

[rocketman]

Both my kids are off @ Stanford and USF. I guess I did alright. Now I think I'll go downtown and get some drugs. Probably the same kind of drugs my kids got on the square in Sebastopol.

[LenInSebastopol]

I'm a parent of a 14 year old girl and am very concerned and very surprised to hear about this. I don't spend much time in the square but am aware of groups of kids always congregated around. I would like to help rid the square of the dealing...what can we do and how can I help?

Have you ever heard of "police harassment"?
It works both ways.
A few phone calls daily identifying the problem and make the cops life miserable until they get about the business of rousting those that need it. DAILY and several folks and it will be done. Not fast enough? City council will give anyone 3 minutes to state a case. It takes pounding the drum to awaken folks.

[mtn2ocn]

My main purpose of writing in the first place was to bring awareness to the community. Which by this mornings count, some 216 people have viewed the information. So that's a good thing.
What I find interesting and really very odd is the attitude that it's okay for runaway kids and homeless old dudes to be dealing drugs right next to where you little one might be playing. I'm not talking pot here. That was never the issue. The are purchasing pills and handing them out to their pack. I have witnessed this, O'smart ass Nomad because I have to pass by them frequently during the day and its obvious what their doing, without even stopping. And by the way, the cops were called and they took 20 minutes to come over. By that time the 2 guys main guys had left.
So take what you will from this and leave what you must. I'm done with this post and hope you all will be aware and call the cops if you notice something. Or those of you who think we should "educate and empower them", go right ahead and try to help them. Point them in the direction of the nearest rehab...........


I have never noticed and if you do you must have a very slow business to be so nosy as to tell what those kids are doing or care. You said yourself no one else walking by seems to so why you? Have they been scaring your customers away? You did not mention that.

First you said pills but made a pot reference. Meth, Crack, I'd be more worried, but if the cops don't think it is a big deal, I think I'll let them do their job.

Unless they are loitering in front of your business, I suggest you do your own job. That is why they are police officers and you own a business. Would you let one of them run your business? No, most likely, because they havn't the proper training. Same applies to you.

Which one may I ask so that I never unknowingly spend my hard earned money there?

[2Bwacco]

Safety meeting for school kids and parents:



Brook Haven School, 6:30 p.m. Weds. 3/31/2010

Library at the school

According to the school, open to the public

Law enforcement is to be on hand to discuss with kids and parents how to stay safe on the street.

[Barry]

I have split off the discussion that emerged on this thread to 2 new threads in WaccoTalk called:

https://www.waccobb.net/forums/waccotalk/65473-kids-drugs.html

and

https://www.waccobb.net/forums/waccotalk/65475-more-people-have-been-killed-name-off.html

Let's keep this thread focused on the issue of drug dealing in the square in Sebastopol (and I imagine other towns too).

Do you notice this happening?
Do you have a problem with it?
What do you think should be done about it?
What are you going to do about it?

[dandss1]

It's well known to parents with teenagers that drug dealers and drug users frequent the square and have for several years. Several kids have said that they avoid walking through the square because of this problem. If the local authorities turn a blind eye, then take it to the media and not only the Press Democrat. Call those Bay Area TV stations and let them know that no action is being taken. Nothing like a bit of bad publicity to get some attention!

It is very unfortunate that we have to put up with crap like this, but drug dealers are opportunists and will go where the market is good and enforcement is weak.

[LenInSebastopol]

Good points. My kids avoided that place 15 years ago and it's not changed. One day my son pointed to place after place where dealers sold their stuff. Knew it then and folks know it now. Predators such as them do know where it is weak and that's where they are now. Is that a price to pay for living in Sebastopol? Weak law enforcement?


It's well known to parents with teenagers that drug dealers and drug users frequent the square and have for several years. Several kids have said that they avoid walking through the square because of this problem. If the local authorities turn a blind eye, then take it to the media and not only the Press Democrat. Call those Bay Area TV stations and let them know that no action is being taken. Nothing like a bit of bad publicity to get some attention!
It is very unfortunate that we have to put up with crap like this, but drug dealers are opportunists and will go where the market is good and enforcement is weak.